She glares. “We’re about to get out of this car and fight, good sir.”
I snort. “Unless we’re naked during this fighting, I don’t have the time.”
That gets her. Her laughter fills the car, and I grin as I turn off at the exit. She leans into me, and I kiss her head. “You make me crazy,” she tells me.
“You are a pain in my ass, my love,” I remind her. “Now stop being a brat, and tell me what you want.”
She sits up, looking at me as I pull into the Starbucks. “Well, you, of course.”
After getting into the drive-through line, I grin, leaning over and kissing her lips. “Sorry, we have a four-hour drive. You’ll have to wait.”
“Darn,” she says, snapping her fingers before she tells me what she wants. “We’re going to Owen’s first?”
“Yeah, so you can drop me off.”
“You don’t want to come stay at my place?”
I tense up. “I don’t think that will go over well with Nico.”
She waves me off. “True. Can I come stay with you tonight?”
I move her hair behind her ear, rubbing her cheek with my thumb. “Are you going to be bratty?”
She grins. “Yes, so we can fight naked.”
I grin back before I lean in, pressing my nose to hers. “Then yes, come stay with me.”
Her lips press to mine as I close my eyes, basking in her kiss. That is until someone beeps at us because we’re holding up the line. We laugh as we part, and then I head to the menu to order.
In the back of my mind, though, I play over and over how this might go with Nico. I don’t want this to be bad. I don’t want the drama. I feel good, I feel confident, and I’m happy with everything. His words still fuck with me when I allow them, and I know I won’t get an apology. I also know that Callie will freak if she finds out what Nico said. Which will put her in the middle. Something I don’t want, which is why I haven’t told her. I’ve been dreading this trip for that reason alone, but what can I do about it now?
I have to stand my ground, not only for myself, but for the love I so desperately deserve.
I thought Callie would have just dropped me off when we arrived at Owen’s place, but instead, she and Angie have fallen into a conversation over the jungle that is now my brother’s house. There were a lot of plants before, but now, Angie has every inch of this house covered. To the point that for Christmas, I got her a shirt that reads “Plant Mom.” I know she’ll love it.
“It’s so good for the air. We are basically breathing the cleanest air ever,” Angie says as she walks around, showing Callie all her plants.
“Evan said you liked plants, but I get the feeling it’s more than like.”
Angie grins. “Oh, for sure! I love them.”
Owen laughs as he leans into the railing of the deck as we watch Angie and Callie make their way around the house. As I suspected, Owen and Angie welcomed Callie with open arms, and they both hugged me a little longer than expected, but I needed it. I miss Owen daily, and while I’m thankful for technology, nothing can compare to being in his presence. We stand shoulder to shoulder, and I know some would make fun of us, but I think we need that touch. At least I know I do.
As the girls head into another room, Owen shakes his head. “My lady is a mess.”
I grin. “She’s a good mess, though. And remember, your air is so clean.”
He laughs. “Yeah, sure. I feel no difference.”
I laugh too as we turn to look out at the ocean. I didn’t realize how much I missed the sounds of the ocean and how the waves crash into the shore until I was standing in front of it. “I love it here.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty damn awesome,” he says, leaning into me. “So, you’re staying for two weeks?”
“If that’s cool.”
“More than cool. I guess we’ll head back together for Christmas?”
“That’s the plan.”
He nods. “Things seem good with Callie,” he observes, and I smile.
“Real good,” I agree. “She’s amazing.”
“I can tell. It’s like I’m looking at my brother before everything went sideways.”
I meet his gaze. “I’m almost there.”
“You taking your meds?”
“I am.”
“And therapy is good?”
“Real good, and Angie is a whiz at her med recommendations.”
“Yeah. Everyone who needs help on the team is starting to go to her.”
I nod. “That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, I’m proud.”
“You should be.”
He grins, and I love how happy Angie makes my brother. We’ve known Angie and her family for what seems like forever. We grew up together, and in school, Angie and I were close. We never dated, and I’m not sure why. She’s a damn good girl. Owen has always crushed on her, but Angie wouldn’t give him the time of day. Now, though, I don’t think a day could pass without her wanting him. It’s sweet and convinces me what I feel for Callie is even more real. For the longest time, I heard my dad talk about his feelings. How my mom could walk into a room, and he’d be at a loss for words. She stunned him, completely, and that’s how it is with Callie.
I wanted so greatly to experience that feeling, and I think that’s why I waited so long to be intimate with someone. I felt that quickly with Callie, and I know what we have is different and amazing. I just can’t shake the feeling of Nico ruining it all. It’s actually starting to piss me off. I hate feeling like this. I know what we have, I trust what we have, and I know we’re good, but I also know how badly she wants a dad.
How can I come between that?
“Maybe you’ll be ready to come back soon.”
I swallow hard at that, and I look out at the ocean as I lean into the railing. “I need to discuss something with you.”
He leans forward, matching my stance with his elbows on the wood and his eyes locked with mine. “You’re pregnant?”
I give him a dry look, and he laughs.
“Couldn’t help it. I feel like this is about to be deep.”
“I hate you.”
“I know, but this is your reminder to use protection.”
Instantly, my mind goes to being inside Callie with no protection and then coming in her mouth. Not the time to get lost in that memory, so I shake my head. Though, it doesn’t stop the replay of her eyes on mine as I filled her mouth.
Fuck, it was hot.
“As I was saying,” I say, swallowing hard and adjusting myself. I meet his gaze once more and shake my head. “I’m not coming back, Owen.”
Something moves in his eyes. Anger? Fear? Sadness? I’m not sure, but he draws in a deep breath, letting it out in a whoosh as he looks away from me. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah… I don’t want to play anymore. I don’t love it. The passion isn’t there for me any longer. But now, I have this drive to help kids not lose their passion when the fear sets in. Or when their confidence is shot. I want to make sure no one ever ends up the way I did.”
He runs his fingers through his hair, and his shoulders fall with his hands.